"I rang that police station every day for maybe a fortnight to get hold of the policeman dealing with it and ... I still haven't been told what's happened with that case."

Another, referred to as Tracey, told researchers that her 13-year-old son suffered a facial injury in an assault but it took five days for police to visit her.

"She was upset that it took so long and that her child, who had a history of being bullied, was left very frightened," the report said.

Another interviewee from Suffolk said: "My son had his bike stolen, so I made him go to the station himself and they didn't take him seriously.

"They didn't even give him a crime number. They weren't interested."

One member of the public from the West Midlands noted: "I tried to go to a police station to ask about this parking ticket. I couldn't even get in there, it was totally locked up."

The report will say: "There was a strong feeling among consumers that they are wasting their effort or time in trying to contact the police or pursue a complaint.

"People described being left waiting and ended up feeling offended, belittled or dismissed.

"Most dissatisfaction stems from frustration about poor access to the police in the first place, and the unhelpful attitude of the police when they do respond, often making people feel their concerns are a low priority."

It will add that forces must be "more approachable and responsive" when members of the public first seek help, and must also improve the way they handle complaints.

Only 28 per cent of people who were dissatisfied with the police said they would lodge a complaint. The reluctance was largely due to a feeling that complaints would not be treated seriously, the research found.

Jo, from Wiltshire, felt let down by her local force after reporting that her car had been vandalised; but she did not issue a complaint.

"I think it would have fallen on deaf ears and when dealing with someone like the police you don't want to give yourself a bad name," she said.

The report, which is to be published this week, will say: "The research clearly shows some reluctance to engage with or respond appropriately to dissatisfied customers, some of whom experienced a defensive and unhelpful reaction to their feedback."

When people do complain to the police, the police response was "not good", the report said, with 63 per cent of complainants unhappy at the way their concerns were handled.

One member of the public told the researchers: "I tried to complain to the chief constable. It was an exercise in futility.

"I didn't want anybody to be sacked. I didn't want anybody to run round with a bouquet. I just wanted an explanation."

Alison Hopkins from Consumer Focus, which conducted 12 focus groups and a survey of 1,000 people for the report, said: "The police have a tough job but too many people appear disappointed by their dealings with them, especially among those who have actually made a complaint.

"Raising levels of customer service will save time and money and build greater trust in local communities.

"It is a two-way street – the police depend heavily on the active support of the public to fight crime."

She added that forces should introduce new strategies for customer service and complaints-handling. The Government plans to introduce police commissioners in 2012 and this could help "hold the chief constable to account", the report said.